Bottom Line:
Two wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) found dead in north-eastern Portugal were submitted to necropsy.Out of the six nematodes, five females and one male were morphologically and molecularly identified as T. callipaeda.This is the first report of T. callipaeda in wild rabbits from Portugal, which reveals a new host for this parasite in southern Europe and emphasizes the importance of including thelaziosis in the differential diagnosis of ocular alterations in both animals and humans from areas where the eye worm is endemic.

Affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Laboratory of Histology and Pathology, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.

ABSTRACT

Background: Thelazia callipaeda is a zoonotic nematode that affects the eyes of domestic and wild animals, including dogs, cats and red foxes. This parasitic eye worm is transmitted by Phortica variegata, which is a zoophilic fruit fly spread in Europe. Two wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) found dead in north-eastern Portugal were submitted to necropsy.

Results: Both animals presented gross lesions compatible with haemorrhagic viral disease. Eye examination revealed the presence of six worms (three in each animal, on both eyes). Out of the six nematodes, five females and one male were morphologically and molecularly identified as T. callipaeda.

Conclusions: This is the first report of T. callipaeda in wild rabbits from Portugal, which reveals a new host for this parasite in southern Europe and emphasizes the importance of including thelaziosis in the differential diagnosis of ocular alterations in both animals and humans from areas where the eye worm is endemic.

Mentions:
At necropsy, after thawing, both animals (with 1.2 kg of body weight for the female and 1.1 kg for the male) presented nose bloody discharge, splenomegaly and haemorrhagic lesions, mostly in lungs and trachea, compatible with haemorrhagic viral disease. In addition, eye examination revealed the presence of a total of six nematodes (three in each animal, on both eyes) (Fig. 1). Out of the six worms, five were morphologically identified as female (Fig. 2) and one as male (Fig. 3) T. callipaeda.Fig. 1

Mentions:
At necropsy, after thawing, both animals (with 1.2 kg of body weight for the female and 1.1 kg for the male) presented nose bloody discharge, splenomegaly and haemorrhagic lesions, mostly in lungs and trachea, compatible with haemorrhagic viral disease. In addition, eye examination revealed the presence of a total of six nematodes (three in each animal, on both eyes) (Fig. 1). Out of the six worms, five were morphologically identified as female (Fig. 2) and one as male (Fig. 3) T. callipaeda.Fig. 1

Bottom Line:
Two wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) found dead in north-eastern Portugal were submitted to necropsy.Out of the six nematodes, five females and one male were morphologically and molecularly identified as T. callipaeda.This is the first report of T. callipaeda in wild rabbits from Portugal, which reveals a new host for this parasite in southern Europe and emphasizes the importance of including thelaziosis in the differential diagnosis of ocular alterations in both animals and humans from areas where the eye worm is endemic.

Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Laboratory of Histology and Pathology, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.

ABSTRACT

Background: Thelazia callipaeda is a zoonotic nematode that affects the eyes of domestic and wild animals, including dogs, cats and red foxes. This parasitic eye worm is transmitted by Phortica variegata, which is a zoophilic fruit fly spread in Europe. Two wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) found dead in north-eastern Portugal were submitted to necropsy.

Results: Both animals presented gross lesions compatible with haemorrhagic viral disease. Eye examination revealed the presence of six worms (three in each animal, on both eyes). Out of the six nematodes, five females and one male were morphologically and molecularly identified as T. callipaeda.

Conclusions: This is the first report of T. callipaeda in wild rabbits from Portugal, which reveals a new host for this parasite in southern Europe and emphasizes the importance of including thelaziosis in the differential diagnosis of ocular alterations in both animals and humans from areas where the eye worm is endemic.